The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) will connect with the society better by inviting the public to feel and experience the research and academic achievements on its main campus here.
The varsity’s Sastrayaan initiative, to be officially launched on January 20, will showcase the infrastructure and research capabilities available in over 29 research departments and three inter-university centres in various niche areas.
To begin with, the programme will be open to the over 2,000 elected members representing Ernakulam district and its nearby regions in various panchayats, municipalities, and the State Assembly. Faculty members, researchers and students will explain the research and academic gains of the varsity before the visitors.
ADVERTISEMENT
The decision to invite the elected representatives in the first round of the programme came based on the inference that they would be able to learn and propagate the varsity’s credentials before the public. Senior officials pointed out that the elected representatives would get an opportunity to assess the various projects being implemented on the campus.
They could also develop a perspective on the research programmes progressing in various departments, they said.
The varsity hopes that the open house will ensure transparency in its functioning, besides giving the people a sense about how the institution utilises the taxpayers’ money for various research and academic programmes.
ADVERTISEMENT
The first phase of the programme will conclude on January 22. Sastrayaan will have its next editions, in which a larger audience will be invited to visit the departments and research centres. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the programme. A book featuring the facilities and achievements of the varsity departments will be released on the occasion.